Hornsby is the second of three sons born to Lois (Saunier) and Robert S. Hornsby, who was a successful oil and real estate executive in Williamsburg, Virginia. The other sons, Robert "Bobby" Jr., and Jonathan, are highly regarded musicians in their own right.
Hornsby grew up listening to all types of music. He studied music at the University of Richmond, as well as the highly regarded Berklee College of Music and the University of Miami, from which he graduated in 1977.
In the spring of 1974, Hornsby's brother Bobby, who was a brother of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the University of Virginia, formed a band, "Bobby Hi-Test and the Octane Kids" to play fraternity ragers, featuring Bruce on Fender Rhodes and vocals.
"We used to play college grain-alcohol parties," remembers Hornsby. "We did a little Allman Brothers, a little Band, but almost all Dead. We used to do 'Jack Straw', 'Sugar Magnolia', 'Truckin',' 'Not Fade Away', 'Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad'...lots of Europe '72 and Skull and Roses. We didn't do a whole lot of money gigs, but it was more about just going to this country house that my brother lived in with all these hippies, and sitting around playing."
Following his graduation from the University of Miami, Hornsby spent time in Los Angeles as a session musician and songwriter before moving back to his native southeastern Virginia
In 1984 he formed Bruce Hornsby and the Range, who were signed to RCA Records in 1985. Besides Hornsby, Range members were David Mansfield (guitar, mandolin, violin), George Marinelli (guitars and backing vocals), Joe Puerta (bass guitar and backing vocals), and John Molo (drums).
Hornsby's recording career started with the biggest hit he would ever have, entitled "The Way It Is". With a propulsive yet contemplative piano riff and the refrain, That's just the way it is, some things will never change, the song was both catchy and reflective of the American Civil Rights movement, and it topped the American music charts in 1986. In years to come, the song would be sampled by at least six rap artists, including Tupac Shakur, E-40, and Mase. It is also used as some of the introductory music to Sean Hannity's popular talk radio program.
With the success of the single worldwide, the album The Way It Is went multi-platinum and produced another top five hit with "Mandolin Rain" (co-written, as many of Hornsby's songs were, with his brother John). "Every Little Kiss" also did respectably well. Other tracks on the album helped establish what some labeled the "Virginia sound", a mixture of rock, jazz, and bluegrass with an observational Southern feel. Hornsby and the Range would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1987.
The wave of fame continued to roll with Hornsby and the Range's second album, Scenes From The Southside (on which Peter Harris replaced Mansfield). Released in 1988, it featured such hits as "Look Out Any Window" and "The Valley Road". The song "Jacob's Ladder" was featured as well, having originally been written by Hornsby for musician friend Huey Lewis. Lewis' version became a number one hit from his album Fore!. Scenes was successful in its own right and it would also be the last to perform so well in the singles market.
In 1988, Hornsby first appeared on stage with the Grateful Dead, lending some assistance to that group's somewhat unstable keyboards position, in this case following the death of Brent Mydland and preceding the incorporation of Vince Welnick as full-time keyboardist. Hornsby played piano (and occasionally the accordion) nightly with the Grateful Dead from September 1990 through March 24, 1992. He co-composed the song "Silver Apples of the Moon" for the Grateful Dead's Infrared Roses. This collaboration would continue on an less regular basis until the Grateful Dead ended in 1995; in all he made more than a hundred appearances with them. In 1989 Hornsby co-wrote and played piano on Don Henley's big hit "The End of the Innocence". In 1991 Hornsby played piano on Bonnie Raitt's popular hit "I Can't Make You Love Me". Hornsby would feature both these songs in his own concerts.
A Night On The Town was released in 1990. A change in style became apparent as the album was much more guitar driven, while the others were centered around Hornsby at the piano. After the album, the Range broke up with each member pursuing respective musical careers.
Hornsby would go on to release his first solo album, Harbor Lights, in 1993. This record showcased Hornsby in a more jazz-oriented setting and featured an all-star lineup, including Pat Metheny, Branford Marsalis, Jerry Garcia, Phil Collins, and Raitt. The tone was set by the opening title track, which after 50 seconds of expansive Virginia sound solo piano (written and recorded by Hornsby after the rest of the track was finished, because, as Hornsby would later say, he thought it would make a good opening to the album) lurches into an up-tempo jazz number, ending with Metheny's guitar runs. The album closes the same way on "Pastures of Plenty", this time with Garcia intertwined with Hornsby's piano. The mid-tempo "Fields of Gray", written for Hornsby's recently-born twin boys, received some modest radio airplay.
Harbor Lights was well-received by critics and fans, but Hornsby acknowledged that his days of popular commercial success were behind him, saying in interviews that it had been an accident that his McCoy Tyner-influenced piano work ever found itself in the middle of a hit record in the first place..
In 1995, Hot House was released. The jazz feelings that peppered the previous album would be expanded on here, giving the album a constant uptempo party sound. As is typical with Hornsby, the underlying messages behind the catchy tunes are often very dark, such as on "Country Doctor" and "White Wheeled Limousine". Murder, nuclear disaster, adultery: these dark themes and more can be found in many Hornsby compositions. (Interestingly enough, the song "White Wheeled Limousine" had debuted five years earlier as an encore to Branford Marsalis's opening act for the Grateful Dead's 1990/91 New Year's Concert, Marsilis and Rob Wasserman joined Hornsby in the performance). The album also makes an homage to Hornsby's years with the Dead via his recasting of the instrumental bridge of the Dead's song "Estimated Prophet" as the newly-lyricized Hornsby tune "Tango King." The album featured many of the same guests as on his previous record, such as Pat Metheny, and added folk music to Hornsby's usual mix. Bela Fleck also collaborates again on banjo, having previously appeared on A Night on the Town. The album also boasts more prominent roles for Harbor Lights alums John D'earth on trumpet and Bobby Read on woodwinds, and Read continues to perform with Hornsby to this date.
Three years later, Hornsby released a double album, Spirit Trail. Featuring a decidedly goofy picture of his uncle on the cover, the collection blends instrumental tracks with the story-telling, rock, jazz, and other musical forms Hornsby had delved into over his career. Among other homages, the song "Sunflower Cat, Some Dour Cat, Down With That" samples and loops the main lick from the Dead song "China Cat Sunflower." Hornsby's piano playing gained further complexity here, as evidenced by his two-hand-independence on such tracks as "King of the Hill," and prompting Hornsby's devoted fanbase to not only request songs at concerts (a long time Hornsby feature at live shows) but to begin requesting "two-hand-independence".
Hornsby next worked with several Grateful Dead reformation projects, including several Furthur Festivals and the ultimate formation of The Other Ones, which resulted in the release a live album. Hornsby's own touring band line up underwent extensive change during this period as well, not the least of which was the apparent end of musical collaboration with long time drummer John Molo. As Hornsby experimented with a different sound, ushering in frequent collaborations with such musicians as Steve Kimrock on guitar and Bobby Read on heavily effects-driven electronic woodwinds, his current band, dubbed The Noise Makers, took shape. In 2000, Hornsby chronicled this journey with a compilation live album entitled Here Come The Noise Makers, and did extensive touring.
It would not be until 2002 when he would release another album of new material, entitled Big Swing Face. Hornsby wanted to experiment and did so by dropping the piano almost completely in favor of electric pianos and other synthesizers. "Big Swing Face" also evidences a greater reliance upon programmed loops than most of his prior work, as well as lyrics that are in many ways more eccentric and humorous. Although the album marks perhaps Hornsby's most experimental work, including the track "Stick and Stones" which Hornsby cites as his partial homage to Radiohead's "Everything in its right place," the album was not well-received by many and was poorly promoted by RCA, perhaps prompting Hornsby's decision to leave the label.
However, in 2004, after 19 successful years on RCA Records, Hornsby returned to a more acoustic, piano-driven sound on his Columbia Records debut Halcyon Days. Guests included Sting, Elton John, and Eric Clapton. With no signs of slowing down yet, Bruce Hornsby remains a musician more concerned with his devoted fan base and his own growth as an artist than with commercial success.
In July 2006, Hornsby released a box set titled Intersections {1985-2005} to celebrate two decades of his music. The set contains 4 audio CDs containing some pre-released songs and many new songs and recordings from concerts. Much of the music contains collaborations with such artists as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chaka Khan, and Branford Marsalis. The set also includs a DVD containing music videos and video recordings of several songs. All ticketholders on Hornsby's 2006 tour receive a free copy of this set.
Hornsby also has worked with many other artists over the years, including Sheena Easton, Squeeze, Warren Zevon, Chaka Khan, Stevie Nicks, Béla Fleck, Steve Kimock and others. He continues to work with Dead-related projects, such as Bob Weir's Ratdog and The Other Ones, and in 2005 participated in a tribute concert to Jerry Garcia.
Hornsby has also taken an ownership interest in Williamsburg area radio station "The Tide", WTYD 92.3 FM, so that (he said) his music could be heard on the radio in his hometown. Accordingly, his Brunch with Bruce program, where he plays selections from his concerts, is heard on Sunday mornings.
Hornsby undertook a solo tour from October 2, 2006 to February 5, 2007.
The Way It Is
Bruce Hornsby & the Range Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for the welfare dime
'Cause they can't buy a job
The man in the silk suit hurries by
As he catches the poor old ladies' eyes
Just for fun he says, "get a job"
That's just the way it is
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them
Said, "Hey little boy, you can't go where the others go
'Cause you don't look like they do"
Said, "Hey old man, how can you stand
To think that way?
Did you really think about it
Before you made the rules?"
He said, "Son
Well, that's just the way it is
Some things'll never change
That's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them"
Mm, yeah
(That's just the way it is)
(That's just the way it is) well, they passed a law in '64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because the law don't change another's mind
When all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the color bar, no, no
That's just the way it is
And some things'll never change
But that's just the way it is
That's just the way it is, it is, it is, it is
The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby & the Range presents a commentary on the social and economic inequality sadly prevailing in our world. The song depicts the reality of people waiting in line to receive welfare and unable to find employment. Meanwhile, the privileged class sees them with contempt and suggests that if they wanted to work, they could have achieved it. The song points out how the people in power have created and perpetuated a system that works for them but hinders the marginalized and oppressed. The song further touches the issue of racism by referencing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was a crucial legislation in the movement for racial justice in the US. The lyrics suggest that even though the legal framework has changed, the societal discrimination based on race, socio-economic status, and appearance remains as before.
The chorus of the song reiterates the fact that the way things are is not the way they ought to be. It declares that things will stay the way they are until people start believing what they see, stand up for what is right, and work towards freedom and inclusion for all. Hornsby sings about the cyclical nature of injustice, where some things will never change despite efforts for reform. He emphasizes the need for individuals to stay critical of structures of power and authority and not let themselves be deluded by false narratives.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing in line, marking time
Waiting in a long queue, taking up one's precious time
Waiting for the welfare dime
Anticipating financial aid from the government
'Cause they can't buy a job
Individuals are struggling to secure jobs due to various reasons
The man in the silk suit hurries by
A wealthy individual is passing by in a fancy suit
As he catches the poor old ladies' eyes
He grabs the attention of some senior citizens who are financially struggling
Just for fun he says, "get a job"
As a joke, the rich man tells the old ladies to find employment
That's just the way it is
Some things are unchangeable
Some things'll never change
Certain circumstances remain unaffected
Ah, but don't you believe them
However, one shouldn't fall for that illusion
Said, "Hey little boy, you can't go where the others go
A child is being told he can't do something because of the way he looks
'Cause you don't look like they do"
As an outcast who doesn't fit in, he is deemed different
Said, "Hey old man, how can you stand to think that way?
An elderly person is questioned about his beliefs and ideologies
Did you really think about it before you made the rules?"
Was his thought process sound while creating rules?
He said, "Son
The elderly person replied
Well, that's just the way it is
The situation is just as it appears
Mm, yeah
An expression indicating a contemplative mood
(That's just the way it is)
Repetition of the fact that certain things are unchangeable
(That's just the way it is) well, they passed a law in '64
Referencing a law passed in 1964
To give those who ain't got a little more
The intent of the law was to aid those who were financially deficient
But it only goes so far
However, the effect of the law is limited
Because the law don't change another's mind
The law won't make people think differently
When all it sees at the hiring time
During the employment time, all they see is
Is the line on the color bar, no, no
Basing hiring/firing decisions on race and ethnicity
That's just the way it is
This is one of the unchangeable things in life
And some things'll never change
The status quo persists
But that's just the way it is
But that's just the way it is
That's just the way it is, it is, it is, it is
Repeating the fact that some things in life are simply unalterable
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bruce Hornsby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Digman77
Anybody listening in 2024
@robertlinear2698
Yesss always! This NEVER goes out of style ❤
@robertlinear2698
He killed those 88s!
@mikamydog
Bought a $55 concert ticket for September. Excited to see him perform
@Digman77
@@mikamydog that’s awesome!!
@mikamydog
@@Digman77Can't believe he's only charging that much as opposed to current acts less talented than he is.
@user-qn3eo4hx7z
I'm black and my 25 year old son asked me why I was listening to this. I said its great music and the base of alot of the hip-hop you are listening to. He told me I was old and crazy.
I then played Tupac's changes. And asked him how crazy am I. 🤣
@wutang6020
Try Pete and bas 😉 everything you just said there in a nut shell 👌😊
@karensweeden5038
Music is color blind,just the way it is,God bless you
@HitsFromThePast
@@karensweeden5038 Not to MTV in the early 1980s but that was the way it was.